Travelling from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Seoul: what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Seoul is 11 hours 51 minutes.
Seoul is 6 hours ahead of Istanbul, where Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located. Seoul operates on the UTC+9 timezone.
With 26 flights a week between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the busiest route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 01:50. If you'd like to get more out of your day before flying, the latest departure from IST to ICN is with Korean Air at 22:30.
Give yourself plenty of time to make your flight from IST to Seoul. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Flying during a peak time like August? Major public holidays and other high seasons can lead to longer queues at security. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Nonstop flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Seoul are available for booking. Incheon International Airport (ICN) will be your arrival point.
Top carriers that operate direct flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Seoul include:
We make it a piece of cake to plan a flight from IST to Seoul that includes a stopover. To see all your options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Next, pick a flight with a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
If you hold a passport from Türkiye (Turkey), you'll need an ETA to visit South Korea. This applies when booking a cheap ticket from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Seoul for tourism purposes. The rules may differ if you're travelling for business or other reasons. Always check official visa guidelines before you book and definitely before you fly.
Located around 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The same journey on public transport is roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Have an early flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Seoul? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by picking one of these hotels close to IST:
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Seoul
₹ 28,622 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Seoul. Return flights start at ₹ 44,521. These prices can change based on availability.
Score cheap tickets from IST to Seoul by booking at least 2 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
The cheapest month for tickets from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Seoul is October. You can easily compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest day to fly.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll notify you right away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you from checking for flight tickets from IST to Seoul every day.
Make the most of the filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Seoul, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by airline, departure and arrival times, and journey duration.
Airports in Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Central Seoul is around 48 kilometres from Incheon International Airport (ICN). Journey times by cab or car rental will vary based on time of day and traffic conditions, so do some research ahead of your trip.
It takes roughly 1 hour and 44 minutes to get there using public transport.
Consider booking a hotel near ICN if you're catching a late flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Seoul. Select one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Gimpo International Airport (GMP) is roughly 16 kilometres from the centre of Seoul. Check out your options for travelling into town after your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Seoul has landed.
You can also travel using public transport, which will take approximately 1 hour and 3 minutes.
After your flight from IST to Seoul, unwind at a hotel close to GMP. These are some great options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Seoul
July is the busiest month to catch a flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Seoul while April is the quietest. To work out the best time to visit Seoul, consider the pace you prefer to travel at.
When booking your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Seoul, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. August is the warmest month in Seoul, with temperatures ranging from 19ºC to 32ºC.
Search for cheap flights from IST to Seoul in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -12ºC and 4ºC on average.
More about Seoul
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Seoul right here. Check out these options after you've booked your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Seoul:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and N Seoul Tower are leading attractions which should feature on any well-planned Seoul itinerary.
Complete your Seoul trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Seoul to track down incredible deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus we give you everything you need to know about car rentals in Seoul, from the most popular car type to the best time to book.